Tom DeBlass of Ocean County Jiu-Jitsu makes pro MMA debut tonight

Tom DeBlass, owner of Ocean County Jiu-Jitsu in Forked River, give thanks to God after winning the Abu Dhabi Trials. He'll make his pro MMA debut tonight at Ring of Combat XXX in Atlantic City.

Some of the best mixed martial artists also are among the most humble guys you ever could meet. Randy Couture, George St. Pierre, Matt Hughes, Frankie Edgar, Lyoto Machida, Ricardo Almeida, Jon Jones, Jim Miller, Dan Miller, Nick Catone, and Ben Henderson come to mind. They are confident from the inside out and never cocky. Outside of the cage, they are gentlemen, possessing a calm, positive spirit that is warm rather than threatening or imposing.

Add among them Tom DeBlass, the owner of Ocean County Jiu-Jitsu, a student of Almeida’s and teammate to Edgar. Having won the Abu Dhabi Trials and several other international jiu jitsu tournaments, DeBlass is making his pro MMA debut tonight at Ring of Combat XXX in Atlantic City against fellow Jersey fighter J.A. Dudley, who’s coming in at 250 pounds with a record of 1-4-0. Thirty pounds lighter, DeBlass’ amateur MMA record is 1-1-0.

DeBlass not only is a world champion grappler, he also has amassed a large following as a teacher. Yet, he credits God and all those around him — students, as well as teachers and trainers — for his success.

Tom DeBlass readies for his pro debut at Ring of Combat XXX with boxing coach Mark Henry, who also trains DeBlass' jiu jitsu coach Ricardo Almeida and UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, a member of Team Ricardo Almeida and Team Renzo Gracie.

DeBlass does his conditioning at Toms River-based All Star Sports Academy with co-owner Brian Blue, also the conditioning coach of UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar and Ring of Combat lightweight champ Chris Ligouri.

In what ways did you prepare for your pro debut that made you a better technical and conditioned fighter?
I have been training very hard for this fight. I hooked up with Mark Henry, who I believe is the best boxing coach in the world for MMA. He has helped me a ton. I also train at Ricardo Almeida’s during the week with some of the most accomplished MMA fighters in the world. I do my strength training with Brian Blue (of All Star Sports Academy), who is amazing. I also train a lot with my own students, who are amazing and will certainly be some of the top guys in the world in jiu jitsu within three years.

Comment on your opponent and how you feel you match up against him.
I am fighting J.A. Dudley. He is a tough guy. He is heavy coming in at 250. I will be coming at at 220. After this fight, I will fight at 205. However, I have competed successfully at the heaviest weight in grappling and jiu jitsu and won the Abu Dhabi trials at the heaviest weight beating guys 100 pounds heavier then me. I am very strong for my weight.

Dudley comes to fight and I respect him for that. However, I do not think he matches up well against me. Granted, the chance for a knockout can always happen in MMA. But I am better than him in every aspect. I believe I match up well against anyone, as I have a very, very strong jiu jitsu base, very good takedown defense and hit very hard.

DeBlass, far left, with his Team Ricardo Almeida mates Frankie Edgar, the UFC lightweight champion, and Dante Rivera, who has held several regional titles, and their coach Ricardo Almeida, a UFC welterweight, who will fight former champ Matt Hughes on Aug. 7 in Oakland.

DeBlass, second from right, with Team Renzo Gracie mates Hazem Ibrahim, owner of Brunswick Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in East Brunswick, and Dante Rivera, an instructor at Ricardo Almeida BJJ in Hamilton, with their Brazilian jiu jitsu master Renzo Grace, second from left, on his 43rd birthday.

Comment on the love you have for your team, Team Ricardo Almeida and Team Renzo Gracie, teammates and coach.
My team gives me so much confidence. Everyday I train, I get to train with the best fighters in the world. I have the best trainers in the world as well. Anything I have ever accomplished is thanks to them and, of course, God. I can never take credit. I constantly have guys pushing me and checking up on me. They really care. I would gladly die for them, as I know they would die for me.

Comment on Ricardo as a teacher and a mentor.
I have been with Ricardo since I have been a white belt before I won any titles, and he always believed in me. When I first started training, people thought it was far fetched for me to be a world, Pan American, or national champion or ever win the Abu Dhabi trials and compete in Abu Dhabi. Ricardo always believed in me and actually expected nothing less. He knew I took myself seriously, so he expected the most out of me. To be honest, Ricardo is never satisfied with me and always expects more. This is why I know how much he believes in me.

How does owning a school and teaching make you a better fighter?
My life is marital arts. I am always around it. I actually cannot get away from it (laughs). Teaching makes you truly study technique.

Owning my own academy also gives me a bigger responsibility. I know when I compete, I always have to come in at my best and train hard. I may not always have to win but preparing the right way is crucial to keep the respect of my students.

I love my students and know all of them personally. They love me as well. When I compete and now begin this journey of fighting, I will step into the ring with their energy. I feel them with me wherever I go.

Is your goal to enter the UFC? If so, what do you think you would bring to that organization that it doesn’t now have or have much of?
I need to sit down after this fight and see what comes next after that. I also run a school and have other things that are very important to me. But I will tell you for sure, if I plan to keep fighting, I plan to fight in the UFC. I do not do anything on a consistent basis without expectations of going to the top of the food chain.

As far as bringing something to the UFC that it doesn’t have already, it is far too early for me to even think about that. I am a humble man. I believe in my ability and believe I have the capability and talent to be the best, but, thus far, I am just getting my feet wet in the sport. All of the fighters in the UFC are amazing, and I respect them a great deal as fighters.

DeBlass' students recently gave this plaque to him for a birthday present, just weeks before his pro MMA debut at Ring of Combat tonight. The image is from his win at the Abu Dhabi trials in thanks to God.

Often times in mixed martial artists, fighters rely too much on their own strength. Comment on how you rely more on God’s than your own.
God is my rock and gave me all that I have. I truly give myself credit last. First is God and Jesus, then the wonderful people around me, then finally me. I understand that my existence is a blessing and in the big scheme of things is not that important. I embrace the day I get to meet Him and do not fear death. Hopefully, if I am not remembered, the things I believe in are.

About Bob Makin

Bob Makin is a multimedia watchdog reporter for the Home News Tribune, Courier News and MyCentralJersey.com. He has been with Gannett 20 years and a journalist for 34. He also is a former fitness coach specializing in sports-specific training and methods to fight diabetes and heal from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, two illnesses Makin has been able to control through exercise and nutrition. A former competitive boxer and wrestler, Makin relies heavily on mixed martial arts as a form of exercise.

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No other exercise works on strength, power, speed, stamina, endurance, agility, balance, flexibility, mind and spirit all at the same time like mixed martial arts. Mixed martial arts also is the country’s fastest-growing sport and boasts the most pay-per-view sales.